The following media round-up on international, legal and foreign policy issues from around the Balkans for the period from 11 April 2024 to 18 April 2024.
Guernica 37 will provide weekly media updates with a focus on Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Should you wish to contribute or submit a media summary, opinion piece or blog, please send to Ned Vucijak at nenadv@guernica37.com for consideration.
Turkey - 18 April 2024
Turkish Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Mehmet Özhaseki announced the preparation of a new climate law to combat global warming and climate change. Özhaseki stated that the law would include measures to reduce reckless irrigation and carbon emissions; see here.
Serbia - 18 April 2024
Serbia has not explained why Dejan Jankovic was arrested on Wednesday, but Kosovo claimed Belgrade was taking revenge for the vote for Kosovo to join the Council of Europe; see here.
Croatia - 17 April 2024
The ruling HDZ party has won the most seats in Croatia’s election, according to almost complete official results, but faces tough talks to secure a majority in parliament and form a governing coalition; see here.
Kosovo - 17 April 2024
The lawyer for former Kosovo Liberation Army member Pjeter Shala asked the Hague court to acquit his client, claiming the charges of arbitrary detention, mistreatment, torture and murder of prisoners at the Kukes Metal Factory in Albania have not been proven; see here.
Kosovo - 17 April 2024
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has recommended that Kosovo be invited to become a member of the Council of Europe – while deciding to monitor its fulfilment of an extensive list of commitments and obligations as from its accession; see here.
Kosovo - 15 April 2024
At the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, the prosecution demanded a 28-year prison sentence for Pjeter Shala for the arbitrary detention, mistreatment, torture and murder of prisoners held at the Kukes Metal Factory in Albania, in May-June 1999; see here.
Montenegro - 15 April 2024
The Prosecutor's Office accuses former top police official Zoran Lazovic of creating a criminal organisation that former Chief Special Prosecutor Milivoje Katnic joined; see here.
Montenegro - 15 April 2024
Reflecting tougher attitudes towards femicide, a court in Montenegro has handed Ilir Djokaj the maximum sentence of 40 years in jail for shooting dead his former partner; see here; see here.
Romania - 12 April 2023
After failing to meet the 2-per-cent GDP threshold for several years, Romania has allocated a record budget for the defence sector for 2024, reaffirming its commitment to NATO; see here.